fiscal cliff. that's the package of tax increases for most americans and budget cuts that will hit automatically unless the white house and congress find a gentler way to solve the crisis in the federal budget. here's how treasury secretary tim geithner put it on cnbc. >> is the administration prepared to go over the fiscal cliff? >> absolutely. there's no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2% of the wealthiest americans. ren, it's only 2%. >> pelley: by 2% he means individuals making more than $200000 and couples taking in 250,000 or more. republicans say rates shouldn't be increased on anyone. with no agreement, going over the fiscal cliff would be painful. the automatic tax increases break down like this: households making $20,000 to $4,000 would see an increase in $1,200 a year. incomes of $40,000 to $64,000 would see taxes rise $2,000 and in the $64,000 to $108,000 bracket taxes go up $3,500 a year. mr. obama and the republican speaker of the house ta